Top 10 Websites of 2023

7 min readDec 30, 2023

To mark the 1st year of being a member of the main jury of Awwwards, I’ve collected a list of my personal favorite websites. From portfolios and landing pages to e-commerce and narrative experiences. These aren’t necessarily projects I’ve voted on during this year, but projects that have left a big impression. Masterful executions of layout, typography, motion and storytelling.

These are websites that have provided an abundance of inspiration for me during the year and ones I think I’ll be admiring even longer. Hopefully they can provide some more inspiration for you as well!

You can also check out the list as a collection on Awwwards.

Here are my Top 10 Favorite Websites of 2023!

10. Synchrodogs

by: Jason Bradley and Zhenya Rynzhuk
Website: https://synchrodogs.com/

The portfolio of the art duo that make up Synchrodogs combines a vibrant identity and works with a structured system. Consisting of predominantly central layouts and dividing the whole project into 4 key segments (art, commercial, concept and info). The whole website uses less typical digital design layouts, but in a very cohesive and structured way. This makes exploration easy and educates the visitors on what they can expect from this environment. Moreover, the central layouts help with presenting the duos art pieces in a dynamic way, without ever distracting from the content itself.

9. Air Company

by: Mouthwash Studio and Rafa Cobiella
https://www.aircompany.com/

Air Company is most likely the more subdued website experience on this list. There’s a touch of Apple in the entire tone of voice, except even more refined. Mouthwash Studio have a keen eye for creating very elegant, clean and minimal designs. And Air Company is no exception. One of their best works in terms of web design, branding and storytelling. The beauty of the website comes into focus to more you explore and break it down. There’s a great level of attention to detail in all aspects of the page. A perfect example of a “so simple, that’s why it’s so complicated”.

8. Wow Tapes

by: Margherita Fortuna and Lorenzo Dossi
Website: https://www.wowtapes.com/

Wow Tapes was a project I had only recently seen and it, well, wowed me. Particularly in how the motion design steals the show. While everything is excellently executed within the design and storytelling, it’s the microinteractions, transitions and scrolling animations that elevate this portfolio to another level. Everything is the right amount of vibrant — smaller interactions are subtle, but still very detailed, while large scale motion like transitions, preloader and the “Click & WOW” button dazzle the visitor.

And bonus points for the great execution of the popular “grid vs list” transition on the projects page. This has become a very trendy element to use on galleries — allowing the visitor to change the view to make exploration more convenient. The subtle and smooth transition from grid to list and vice versa is quite delightful and a creative way of making it their own.

7. Cubans Edge

by: Holographik
Website: https://www.cubansedge.com/

A landing page should be a memorable experience that keeps the visitor enganged, explains the product offering and prompts action. Cubans Edge by Holographik does that perfectly. An immersive page presenting these key points in an interesting way, while also keeping everything very cohesive on a visual level. Not to mention a prime example of typographic pairing by using the timeless Helvetica Neue, and lesser known Cirka by Pangram Pangram. Providing enough visual contrast, but harmonius in their letterforms to make them feel as a singular family.

6. M&C Saatchi Abel

by: Malvah
Website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za/

Bold. Striking. Daring. Studio Malvah has created some amazing websites this year, but the portfolio of M&C Saatchi Abel was my absolute favorite. Taking “bold” to a stunning level. While still allowing for an easy reading experience and the projects to take the limelight.

It’s also one of the best examples of contrast. Both in terms of typography and color. The typographic harmony between the headlines and body copy carry a big part of the bold tone of voice. This size combination helps each side stand out. While the splashes of the vibrant color palette pair help emphasise the type contrast and imagery even further.

5. Jon Way Studio

by: Jon Way
Website: https://www.jonway.studio/

Jon Way’s latest portfolio is a prime example of presenting a unique voice and style. Front and center. The portfolio stops feeling like a website and becomes it’s own little world. A deep dive into a designers expression and language where you can really get lost. Going beyond a presentation of client work, Jon Way collects different explorations, posts, products and ideas within this universe. And this makes it one of the more interesting and unique experiences I’ve seen this year. With each new visit I stumble across some new posts or rabbit holes I wasn’t expecting.

4. Secrid

by: Build in Amsterdam
Website: https://secrid.com/en-global/

Secrid’s new digital flagship store by Build in Amsterdam is an exquisite example of creating a visual language that extends throughout the whole e-commerce experience. The brand identity draws inspiration from vintage leather goods and labels. Think Levis jeans style. And they double down on this communication style within typographic layouts, product pages and even down to the smallest details such as the CTAs with slightly off white colors and think borders within the buttons.

Exploring products, stories and benefits is a breeze and delight. Keeping visitors returning to explore something new each time. Secrid easily leaves a lasting impression as the best e-commerce website of 2023.

3. The State of the Transition 2023

by: Niccolo Miranda and G-NS Studio
Website: https://transition.breakthroughenergy.org/

The State of the Transition is an excellent example of storytelling through web design. Playing on all the strengths of the digital medium and creating a visually interesting identity for the report. The central narrative element of a timeline presenting the report in 4 key sections introduces the visitors to the interface and the report. Diving deeper into each segment of the report the effects begin to taper down into more subtle styles. This allows for an easier reading experience while still keeping everything on brand and dynamic with the combinations of typography and imagery.

2. Studio 28K

by: Studio 28K and Aristide Benoist
Website: https://28k.studio/

Bringing focus to the Studio’s name and symbolism of time as the star element of the website. Simplicity at it’s finest. While also combining everything into an elegant motion system for navigating between projects. The content is boiled down into it’s essentials — the work, the team and easy contact points. There’s an abundance of details presented in all aspects of the motion design system here. The layered effects keep everything extremely smooth and place the project galleries as the main focus of the portfolio.

All of these elements make Studio 28K the best portfolio website of the year.

1. Sculpting Harmony

by: Resn
Website: https://gehry.getty.edu/

Sculpting Harmony presents an in-depth look at the story behind the Walt Disney Concert Hall. And in a truly stunning way. Each element of the experience is here to help emphasize the story. From the dynamic typography and scrollytelling to the orchestral compositions playing in the background. The visual aspect of the website is largely inspired by editorial and graphic design. Utilising motion in section transitions and to highlight new chapters.

With everything on the page being largely controlled by the reader it allows everyone to enjoy the story at their own pace, without becoming distracted with any superfluous effects. Moreover, there’s an abundance of additional controls to expand written sections and image galleries. So anyone interested in diving even deeper can easily find this information.

Sculpting Harmony could easily be one of my all time favorite website designs. There isn’t a single detail that feels out of place or not in service of the story. A meticulous storytelling experience that perfectly matches the subject matter. To the point where it elevates the story in a way that only quality digital design can.

Honorable Mentions

There have been a lot of great websites this year and it was difficult to select the very best from the whole bunch. And these exceptional projects also deserve a deep dive, so I have a few honorable mentions that almost made the list this year.

Check them out as well!